A systematic study of maghemite/PMMA nano-fibrous composite via an electrospinning process: Synthesis and characterization

• Main Authors: Khanlou, H.M., Ang, B.C., Talebian, S., Barzani, M.M., Silakhori, M., Fauzi, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2015
• Subjects: T Technology (General); TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/15710/1/A_systematic_study_of_maghemite_PMMA_nano-fibrous_composite_via_an_electrospinning_process.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/15710/; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263224115002079

In this study, maghemite/PMMA nano-fibrous composites have been successfully fabricated by using the electrospinning process. PMMA nano-fibres have been selected to be used as the matrix; the PMMA was dissolved in three diverse solvents (Acetone, THF and DMF) in order to obtain fine PMMA nano-fibres. As a result, the PMMA-DMF proved to be the most appropriate polymer solution among the three solvents, with its impressive defect-free surface morphology results. The production of maghemite using Massart's procedure resulted in nano-particles with an average diameter of 4.98 +/- 0.13 nm (using transmission electron microscopy (TEM)). Maghemite nano-particle were then mixed with a prepared polymer solution in order to fabricate maghemite/PMMA nano-fibrous composite. Furthermore, the investigation of the morphology and structure of the composite was carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Alternating Gradient Magnetometer (AGM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile strength measurement devices. The results indicated that there was a great amount of maghemite, both in and on the composite's surface, which can be utilized in the purpose of magnetic applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.